Fish bait



Aug- 23, 1949 T. A. FINDLAY 2,479,675

FISH BAIT Filed July 19, 1946 lNVE/VT'OB Two/mas A. FINQLAY ATrYs:

Patented Aug. 23, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,479,675 flsn BAIT W A. Findlay, Miiificqm, Wis. Application Joiy is, isid'serin No. 6134946 Clslina- (01. emails) The present invention relates to an improves artificial fish bait.

One of the objects er the present mvsntion is to provide an easily manipulated artifidiai fisli bait which might be: generally designated as bing of the plug type primarily intendedfor either casting or trolling, and is particularly efiective for catching bass, muskellunge, pike and the like.

The bait can be made either to be of the surface or of the deeper going types, depending upon the material of which it is made, all as will be more fully hereinafter explained.

It is a further object of the invention tcprrsvicie a casting or firming pluQwtiicfi is characterized by a rather peculiar and very efiective weaving motion, either when cast and retrieved oi" tr'oll'e'd. By reason of its shape it will alternately rise to the surface and dive and then some back to the surface, also occasionally making sfaewai-d darting. movements which are highl attractive to game fishv The invention is ings in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the bait of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partially in section;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view;

Fig. 4 is a frontal elevation, and

Fig. 5 is a partial side elevation, also shown partially in section.

The bait comprises a relatively thin elongated plate-like body member, broadly designated by the reference numeral 6, and which consists of a substantially horizontally disposed fiat posterior portion 1, and a downwardly curved portion 8, this portion having an obtuse or right angle along the line 9 (see Fig. 3), whereafter it is again upwardly directed at the forward portion l0, then being bent backwardly at a sharp acute angle along the line H, forming an upper anterior portion l2 which substantially meets and may be attached to the curved portion 8 along the line 13.

As can best be seen from Fig. 2, a longitudinal cross section of the forward or anterior portion of the bait is substantially triangular, forming a space bounded respectively by the parts 8, l and I2. Side portions 14 and I4 are welded, brazed, soldered or otherwise secured to the portions 8, l0 and [2, so as to define a space l which is bounded by the parts 8, l0 and I2, and the two side walls l4 and I4. As shown in Fig. 5, the space l5 may be entirely empty, or as shown in Fig. 2, it may contain a filling material I6,

illustrated in a sheet of artw- 2 which may be either lighter orhe'aviertnan water, depending upon the action desired in the bait.

Simulations of fisheyes H are located on each side of the device that'- the entire portion th re: of will simulate the appears-nee efthe headof a fishor similar aniinai.

.e eeitatietying loop i8 provided aieiig' seetion it, prereraiiiy penetrating the same,- be'ing suitably secured by means the legs is on the reverse side or the portion fr. This rein for the attachment (if asuitable liii.

Attached to the elidf er the flat posterior section I, by means of, for example; a linli i0,- is a triple fish hook 2|, which may have associates therewith a buck tail is serve as additional means for attracting the fish. Hewever, other saterat teaminsane devise may substituted for the tail; paancuteriy for smaller fish, saleable imitations of flies,- small crustaceans, and the like, may be substitutea.

Assuming for purposes ofexample that the bait or thin sheet instal it wilt be self evi: sent; that it will inherently be heavier than water, and would sink at once when thrown upon the surface of a lake or stream. However, upon retrieving the bait or by propelling through the water by trolling it, it will tend to rise to the surface by reason of the inclination of the surface In until it reaches the surface where it will tend to dive and change its position, and will then course downwardly until, due to the inclination of the portion 8, it will gradually be brought to the horizontal position, whereupon it will again tend to come to the surface; in other words, it will weave up and down in the water. Self evidently the position of the fish hook 2| which is being towed along, will vary in the same manner. The bait therefore will attract such fish as bass, which tend to attack a material near the surface, and will also attract fish which strike at lower levels, such as muskellunge, pike, and the like. The degree of diving and surfacing can be controlled to considerable extent by the relative weight of the head portion and the tail portion of the device. If a device is desired which will have a stronger tendency to surface, then the space I5 may be left empty as shown by Fig. 5, or may be filled with a light material such as wood or cork as shown at IS in Fig. 2. If, however, it is desired to have the bait go considerably below the surface, the space may be filled with heavier material such as a suitable plastic or metal which occupies the space l5, as shown at 16 in Fig. 2. Also, if the plate material I, 8, l0 and I2 be made of a suitable non-metallic substance, such as wood or a plastic which is lighter than water, the solid filling material l6 may have such a density as will give the entire bait the desired balance.

The exact manner of attaching the fish hook is of course a matter of considerable choice, and if desired additional hooks may be attached, either to the posterior piece, or to the downwardly bent piece 8, in accordance with well established practice.

The bait is shown in the figures substantially of the size actually used but obviously can be made larger or smaller, depending upon the type of fish it is desired to attract.

The method of attaching the portion I 2to the portion 8 is also a matter of indifierence and it may be done by either Welding, soldering, gluing or cementing. Likewise, the ing the fish hook 22 by means of the link 20 which passes through the hole 23 in the posterior section 1 of the bait is subjected to a considerable variation well within the mechanical skill of casting and trolling bait manufacturers.

The bait has been found particularly eifective if trolled at reasonable speeds, and if cast and retrieved with a fairly steady reeling of the line, the weaving effect being inherent in the construction of the device. By reason of the somewhat flaring side walls M-l4 there is also a tendency for a certain amount of lateral or darting movement which further enhances the attractiveness of the bait for game fish.

Accordingly, applicant claims:

1. A fish bait comprising a relatively thin platelike body member having a substantially straight horizontal posterior portion, ,a downwardly inclined portion, a thereto contiguous upwardly inclined portion and a substantially horizontal for- Ward portion terminating at about the middle of the downwardly inclined portion; said last-mentioned two portions forming a head-simulating anterior portion; and a fish-hook secured to the free end of the posterior portion.

- simulating anterior portion of the bait; and a method of attachfish-hook secured to the free end of the posterior portion.

' 3. A fish bait comprising a relatively thin plate having a substantially straight posterior part merging into a continuous forwardly extending portion bent downwardly and then abruptly upwardly at an obtuse angle, and another continuous portion bent back upon itself on a sharply acute angle and terminating at the downwardly bent portion; the space defined by said portions being filled with a solid material, thereby forming with said portions 'a head-simulating anterior member of' the bait; and a fishhook attached to the free end of said straight posterior part.

THOMAS A. FINDLAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 841,429 Passage Jan. 15, 1907 1,683,890 Heitmiller Sept. 11, 1928 1,836,650 Davenport Dec. 15, 1931 1,883,695 Goerke Oct. 18, 1932 2,218,259 Finucan Oct. 15, 1940 2,246,413

Haselwood June 17, 1941 

